The two teams entered riding streaks. The Merrimack Valley boys’ lacrosse team was rolling, enjoying the highs of three wins in a row. Kearsarge, on the other hand, was slipping, looking for answers while in the midst of a two-game skid.

Momentum won out. The Pride extended its success and added to the Cougars’ frustrations, earning a 16-3 win that improved its record to 4-1 and dropped Kearsarge’s to 3-3.

The Pride backed its coach’s words by starting fast. Led by Chase Mercier, who scored a team-high four goals, MV grabbed a 5-0 lead after the first quarter and 10-2 lead at halftime that put the Cougars in too big a hole right away.

According to O’Brien, there were no words needed before the game to encourage the early attack.

“With this team, I don’t have to do a lot of talking,” he said. “They go out, they’re focused and they take care of business.”

MV put in four more goals in the third and two in the fourth to pull away. Cole Martin (four assists), Tucker Burt and Tanner Carter had hat tricks, while Warren Campbell (two goals, two assists) and Alex Lacy (goal, assist) also had productive days. Alain Authier made six saves in net, and the defensive crew of Josh Farmer (team-high nine ground balls) and seniors Jake Chaplain, Taylor Blanchette, Buddy Hughes and Ben Reed prevented the Cougars from challenging him too often.

Justin Norris, Lucas Muzzey and Bryson Barthold had the goals for Kearsarge, while Will Aufranc made 20 saves.

“We are playing so poorly that every game is a tough one,” Coach Mike Heffernan said. “(MV is) really improved, and we’ve kind of gone the other way.”

MV hasn’t lost since dropping its opener to Hopkinton, but O’Brien doesn’t think his team has plateaued.

“I don’t think we’re playing anywhere near our full potential,” he said. “I think we’re going to get much better. I expect us to play on a completely different level three weeks from now.”

BOYS’ LACROSSE

BISHOP BRADY 6, GILFORD 5, OT

Chris Carmichael netted the game-winner in overtime to help the Giants improve to 3-1.

Alex Thompson had a hat trick, Matt Tetu scored once and Steve McGrath played outstanding offensively for the Giants.

Aidan Plumtpon and Hunter Migneault led the team in ground balls and anchored a strong defense.

JOHN STARK 13, MILFORD 5

Colbey Decotis and Brody Fredericks had five goals apiece, while Matt Richards added two goals and five assists as the Generals improved to 4-1 with their third straight win.

James Smugereski (goal) and Drew McQuarrie (assist) also contributed offensively, while Curtis Marden was dominant on faceoffs. John Brown and Gage Huard played well defensively in front of goalie August Colborn (16 saves).

Kingswood 16, Pembroke 7

The Spartans (1-6) trailed early, but brought the score back to 8-6 before Kingswood (4-3) scored eight of the final nine goals of the game en route to its third straight win. Kam Anderson led Pembroke’s offense with five goals, Glenn Dion had two goals and two assists, and Max Putnam had an assist.

GIRLS’ LACROSSE

Souhegan 18, Concord 8

Veronyca Daniels scored three goals, but the Crimson Tide (2-5) couldn’t keep pace with a Sabers team that improved to 8-2.

Bella Rubin and Delana Erickson played well at midfield for Concord, which trailed 10-2 at halftime. Melissa Harper and Molly Waite played well defensively.

Bishop Brady 13, Pelham 9

The Green Giants trailed 6-4 at halftime, but found their game to rally back in the second half.

“We were a little bumpy starting off,” Coach Kate Hohenberger said. “We got it together and started keeping control of the ball and moving it with a purpose, instead of just throwing it at the goal.”

Emma Will and Jill Thomas scored four goals apiece for Brady (4-2), while Gabby Eaton’s play on the defensive end helped spark the turnaround.

kearsarge 14, Con-Val 6

The Cougars trailed 2-1 at the 20-minute mark, then went on an offensive burst to take a 10-2 halftime lead and used a superior passing game to claim the win on the road over Con-Val (2-7). Kearsarge (4-1) recorded nine assists on 14 goals.

“That’s an offense that is playing very well together,” Cougars Coach Scott Slogic said.

The Falcons (1-5) lost a back-and-forth game to St. Thomas (4-2) on Monday night. Goalie Leanna Cmar made several fantastic saves behind a strong defensive effort from Sarah Davis, who showed great leadership in the back end. Offensively, Amanda Murray, Julia Currier and Allie Krause led Bow.

GIRLS’ TENNIS

Portsmouth 5, Bishop Brady 4

The Green Giants (5-2) lost a close match to undefeated Portsmouth (9-0) at Memorial Field. The teams split the six singles matches, but the Clippers had the upper hand on the doubles courts.

The Bears (3-4) and Pioneers (2-4) were tied through singles play, but Coe-Brown took two of three doubles matches to get the win on the road.

Haley Serino (8-3 win), Holly Roman (8-4) and Tayla George (8-2) won the fourth through sixth singles matches. The No. 3 doubles team of Roman and Bailey Docko won, 8-6, and the No. 2 duo of Bianca Ketenci and Sophie Wensberg won the deciding match, 8-3.

Kristen Duval (8-0), Danielle Gould (8-1) and Casey Day (8-2) were all victorious in their singles matches, then the doubles teams of Duval/Laura Zbhelik (8-5), Gould/Claire Mulvaney (8-1) and Day/Nandita Kasireddy (8-4) wrapped up the victory as the Falcons improved to 8-1.

The Tide split a pair of dual meets, defeating Alvirne, 85-50, and falling to Bedford, 75-61. Winning events for Concord were Marc Gaudet in the shot put (38-2), George Feliz in the 110 hurdles (15.2 seconds) and 300 hurdles (40.8), Angel Feliz in the 100 (11.3) and 200 (23.3), Matt Adams in the 800 (2:07) and the 4x100 relay of the Felizes, Gaudet and Leo Sudieh.

“Our sprinters did a great job today and the distance stepped up and they both had some pretty fast times for this part of the season,” said Coach Hayden Daly, adding that “Angel Feliz is really starting to prove he is a force in the sprints in New Hampshire.”

MV First, Coe-Brown second

The Pride won 10 events and tallied 80 points to win a home tri-meet over Coe-Brown (48.5) and Trinity (41.5).

Brendan Polichronopoulos won the 400 in a school-record time of 50.40 seconds, won the 200 (23.2) and ran on the winning 4x100 (47.7) and 4x400 (3:36) relay teams. Cody Gilbert (third pole vault), Kevin Barry and Brandon Wood (third shot put) ran on the 4x100, and Keegan Hanks, Carter Saltmarsh and Walker John (second 800) ran on the 4x400 with Polichronopoulos.

Josiah Platte swept the throws, winning the shot put (39-8), discus (118-2) and javelin (137-4). Other MV wins came from John in the 1,600 (4:48), Wood in the 100 hurdles (16.9) and Trevor Parsons in the 300 hurdles (46.3). Parsons also scored in two other events (second 110 hurdles, third high jump).

Jeremy Brassard won the 800 in a blistering time of 1:57, and Lucas Fisher (10:50) and Zach Flanagan gave Coe-Brown a nice 1-2 punch in the 3,200. Griffen Neal won the high jump (5-10) and finished second in the 100 and third in the long jump. Cody Vaughn (second javelin), Jake Scarponi (second 1,600) and Trey Berry (second pole vault, third 200) had runner-up finishes.

Matt Marcotte of Pittsfield competed as an individual and won the pole vault (8-6).

GIRLS’ TRACK

Concord At Alvrine

The Tide defeated Alvirne in a dual meet, 72-60. Rebecca Massah took first place in 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles (season-best time 48.7), Smita Boesch-Dining was first place in 800 and 1,600, and Hana Knowles was first in the shot put and discus against the Broncos. Michaella Conery and Cassie Shea joined Boesch-Dining in sweeps of the 800 and 1,600 events. Samantha Pearl and Kate Andy finished 1-2 in the 3,200.

In the second dual meet, the Tide fell to Bedford, 84-53. Against the Bulldogs, Massah (first 300 hurdles, second 100 hurdles), Knowles (first shot put, second discus), Bean (second long jump), Caswell (third triple jump) and Reese (third 100) placed well. The Tide had the same results against Bedford as it did against Alvirne in the 800, 1,600, 3,200 and both relays.

“It was a great day for the girls,” Concord Coach Jessica Boezeman said. “They have made great strides as a team toward meeting their season goals.”

Coe-Brown First, MV second

The Pride won nine events to the Bears’ eight, but it was Coe-Brown’s depth that gave it the win over its Merrimack Valley hosts. The Bears’ score of 100 points topped the Pride (68) and Trinity (9).

Hannah Parker won two events – the 200 (26.0) and the 400 (57.6) – to lead Coe-Brown. Alley Savioli won the shot put (35-10) and finished second in the javelin and third in the discus, while Ariel Clachar won the long jump (16-10) and finished second in both the 100 and 200. Alesha Donovan won the high jump (4-2) and finished second in the 300 hurdles, and Christen Gallant won the pole vault (8-6).

In the distance events, Alli Pratt won the 3,200 (11:40), Brooke Laskowsky won the 800 (2:25) as she led a top-five Coe-Brown sweep in the event, and Elisabeth Danis finished second in the 1,600, helping the Bears claim the second through sixth spots.

Nancy Taban won both hurdles events – the 100 in 15.5 and the 300 in 47.7 – and Kristie Schoffield won two events – the triple jump in 33-8.5 and the 1,600 in 5:10 – and added a third-place finish in the 200 to lead the Pride. Meredith Ramsey set two school records with her win in the 100 (12.5) and second-place leap of 16-7 in the long jump. Mary Mullen won the discus (103-10) and Madison Irving won the javelin (108-10). Mullen also finished second in the shot put.

Ramsey, Randee Tatham, Taban and Cindy Fanny ran on the winning 4x100 (51), while Ramsey, Schoffield, Taban and Heidi Gooch won the 4x400 in a school record time of 4:05.5.